Index.



S. ANTHONY.

INDEX.

APPLICATION FILED was, I916.

Patented Apr. 1, 1919 InvenTor. STonley Anihony ATTys.

STANLEY ANTHONY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

INDEX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 1, 1919.

Application filed August 5, 1916. Serial No. 113,311.

- dexes, of which the following description,

in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, likecharacters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to indexes of that type comprising a holder orbacking and a plurality of index elements removably and adjustablysustainedin the holder and each comprising an index strip inclosed in atransparent sheath. In indexes of this type the index strip isfrequently in the form of a strip of relatively thin paper on which theI name, address, telephone number or other data can be Written and theprotective sheath is usually constructed so that the paper has to beintroduced thereinto from the end thereof. Moreover, in the use ofindexes of this type, it is frequently necessary to correct the data onan index strip, as, for instance, when a person changes his address ortelephone number, and this is usually done by removing the sheath fromthe holder and then removing the old index strip from the sheath andplacing a new index strip into the sheath with the correct data thereon.Where the index strip is made of a rather thin pliable paper, thisoperation of removing the strip from the sheath or introducing a newstrip into the sheath is sometimes rather diiiicult, especially wherethe strip has to be introduced into the end of the sheath.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a sheath of animproved form which is so constructed that the index element can bereadily introduced therein or removed therefrom even though it is ofvery thin and flexible paper.

Another object is to provide an improved sheath which will firmly holdthe index strip in place while permitting it to be readily removed, andotherwise to improve index elements of this type, all as will be morefully hereinafter described.

In order to give an understanding of my invention I have illustrated inthe drawings some selected embodiments thereof which will now bedescribed, after which the novel features will be pointed out in theappended claim.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an index elementembodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the manner in which an index stripcan be introduced into or removed from the sheath;

Fig.4 shows a modified form of the invention;

big. o is a fragmentary view showing a portion of a holder with theindex strlps therein.

1 indicates a holder shaped to present at each edge the retalning lips2, and 3 indi- -cates generally the index elements which are retained inposition in the holder by having the ends thereof inserted under thelips This is illustrative of a form of index to which my presentinvention relates and which is now more or less commonly used.

The index element 3- comprises an'index strip i of paper or othersimilar material on which the name, address or other data is written,and a sheath 5 of resilient transparent material such as celluloid intowhich the index strip 4': is placed. My improved sheath is constructedso that the strip 4 can be placed thereinto or removed therefromedgewise, thus obviating the necessity of in troducing the stripthereinto from the end thereof. In order to accomplish this I make mysheath at or adjacent one edge thereof with a strip-receiving slot whichextends from one end to the other of the sheath and which is constructedso that the strip can be drawn into the sheath edgewise through theslot. The sheath is also constructed so that when the strip is in placeit is frictionally clamped between the opposite sides of the sheath,thus securely holding the strip in place.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the sheath is made from astrip of celluloid which is bent to present thefront face 6 and the rearface 7, said faces being connected at their lower edge. as at 8, butbeing separated at or adjacent the upper edge to form a strip-receivingslot 9 which extends from one end to the other of the sheath. This slotis shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as being situated on the rear side of thesheath adiacent the top edge thereof.

The sides 6 and 7 of the sheath are preferably spaced apart at theiredges opposite the slot a distance greater than the thickness of thestrip 4 and said sides incline toward each other so that they havefrictional engagement with the strip 4 adjacent the slot 9. I willpreferably also form the edge of one at least of the faces with theoutwardlydirected lip 10 thereby producing a slot with a flaring throatwhich will facilitate the introduction of the strip 4 therethrough. Inthe embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the upperedge of the rear face 7 is shown as being bent to present theoutwardly-directed lip 10 and the upper edge of the front face 6 isprovided with the rearward extension 11 which overlies the strip 4, theslot 9 and the lip 10. When the strip 4 is in place, it lies under thelip o extension 11 and the latter prevents it from rising out of theslot.

The strip can be readily introduced into the sheathin the manner shownin Fig. 3, that is, one edge ofthe strip can be placed in the slot atone end of the sheath and then --by drawing the strip longitudinally anddownwardly said strip may be introduced edgewise into the sheath throughthe slot. The voutturned lip 10 not only assists in guiding the stripinto the slot, but it also results in forming a rounded friction surface12on-the inner face of the back 7- which engages. the strip and clampsit against the front face 6.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a slightly different embodiment of the inventionwherein the strip-receiving slot is located at the top edge of thesheath. In this embodiment both the Copies of thispatent. may beobtained for five cents each, by addressing the front and rear faces 6'and 7 of the sheath are bent at their upper edges to present theoutwardly-flaring lip 13 between which is located the strip-receivingslot. In this embodiment each of the sides 6 and 7 is provided on itsinner face with the clamping face 12 in frictional engagement with thestrip 4. WVith either embodiment of my invention the operation ofplacing a strip 4 into the sheath is easily and quickly accomplishedbecause the strip can be merely drawn edgewise through the slot into itsplace. The operation of removing the strip is equally easy and rapid.Moreover, when the strip is in place it will .be firmly held by themanner in which it is frictionally clamped between the sides of thesheath.

1 claim:

An indicator strip for indexes comprising a sheath of transparentresilient material and an index strip contained therein, said sheathpresenting front and rear sides connected at the bottom edge butseparated at the top edge, the rear side having its upper.

edge bent outwardly and the front face having extended rearwardly fromits upper edge a lip which overlies the upper edge of the rear sidebutis separated therefrom to present a strip-receiving slot extending fromone to the other end of the sheath.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

STANLEY ANTI-TONY.

Washington, D. C.

